Industrial Air Pollution In Trinidad And Tobago Environmental Sciences Essay

Industrial Air defilement In Trinidad And Tobago surroundal Sciences EssayThe taint of the atmosphere by any ototoxic or radioactive gases and particulate matter matter as a result of gentleman activity defines channel pollution. (EMA State of the Environment Report 2000)Over the years Trinidad and Tobago has concentre on industrial enterprise developing several industrial estates but greater focus was make to the aught sectors. They current have three study(ip) energy based industrial sites. The Point Lisas industrial estate, Point a capital of South Dakota petroleum refinery and Liquefied Natural Gas plant (LNG) located in Point Fortin. Trinidad and Tobago is considered to be virtuoso of the several(prenominal) industrialized countries in the race Caribbean region. We have been b slighted with a vast array of essential resources ranging from oil, natural gas and asphalt to fashiond petrochemicals. Despite the fact that oil deed and refining is one of our principal(pre nominal) industry, petrochemicals and to a lesser extent brand plays great importance in the company economic growth. Trinidad Tobago is worlds leading exporter of two methanol and ammonia, currently they supply the largest source of LNG is exported to the join States.Early views and actualisation of Air PollutionTo the general public get off pollution was considered to be chemical releases and that suspension and secondary pollutants will just dissipate with the caution of the wind and rain. As the country moves into a second wave of industrialization with several proposed plans of building the next economic hotspot in the Caribbean (Invest in TT Downstream Energy), concerns has been made toward the quality of ventilate what we live and breathe. It was alone years later when technology began to play an important part in analyzing pollutants and air quality that it was realized that air pollution was just as important as water pollution.The industrial sector in Trinidad To bago is one of the around dynamitic in the Caribbean and this is reflected in the diverse nature of its pollutants. set back 1 illustrates the numerous industry classes, commodities produced, production process and resulting in air pollutants. map out 1 Existing Proposed Energy Base Industrial Estates in TrinidadTable 1 Industry in Trinidad Tobago and air emission they emit painsPRODUCTSSOURCESAIR POLLUTANTPetrochemicalMenthol, ammonia, carbamide, ethanol, liquefied natural gasFossil discharge processing, industrial processes snow Dioxide, Sulfur dioxide, north oxides, carbon MonoxideManufacturingMetals, cements, consumer productsManufacturing and extraction process, stock big bucks of raw fabrics, fossil fuel burning snow Dioxide, sulfur dioxide, newton dioxide, atomic number 7 oxides, particulate matter PM (soot, dust, asbestos fibers, pesticides and metals). Volatile Organic Carbon (VOC)TransportationvehiclesIncomplete combustionCarbon Monoxide, particulate matter oil color RefineriesRefined oil, oil base products and sulfur / venereal diseases productionFossil fuel burning, extraction process, channelation process, storage process,Carbon Dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxides, methane, particulate matter (soot, dust, asbestos fibers, pesticides and metals)Agriculture sensual waste, plant wasteAnimal waste disposal/processing, rice paddies and wetlands, plant metabolism, land clearingMethane, Carbon monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, particulate matter (dust), VOCElectrical Power generationelectrical energyFossil fuel burning,Particulate matters, Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, VOCMining QuarryingAggregateBlasting, mining, washing, extraction processsuspend Particulates Matters (SPM) total suspended particles (TSP) Particulate matters.Wholesale and RetailAll consumer productsService commit operations, truck filling stationsVOCLocations of Main Industrial SectorsWith industrialization comes a need f or people to bene retard with the senior high train of employment in these beas. The demographic transition cycle in Trinidad and Tobago is fairly predictive with legion(predicate) of the live aras following the same paths along the industrialized map. (Map 2)In the initial stages of industrial development focus was made on establishing industries in sparsely populated areas. The intention was in addition to take advantage of the favorable wind steering which would direct most of the air pollutant west ward over (for the most part) approximately 5 miles of uninhabited land space and then to the Gulf, with the intension that the vegetation would be affected in a minor sort during the dry season and would be assist by run wrap up during the rainy season.This idea inadvertently leads to an opposite pollution problem. This proved to be a short term imitative, as these areas shortly became an attractive election to the long commute thus encouraging the establishment of make- shift villages and sea chantey towns. This was also fueled by the fact that the southern and eastern main road were in close proximity to these estates.Over time these villages soon became establish resistances acquiring basic utilities and official mailing addresses. The industries were now face with a new obstacle. They now had to focus their attention to both the milieu and the attached population. Table 2 identifies the main industrial pollutants found in Trinidad and Tobago and its effects on both the environment and humans.Map 2 Industries and major roadship bottomlandalTable 2 Main Industrial Pollutants and their Adverse Health and Environment EffectsPOLLUTANTEFFECTS ON HUMANSEFFECTS ON THE purlieuCarbon Monoxide- COIt is absorbed through the lungs simplification the bloods capacity to transport available oxygen to the tissues. Depending on the exposure level it produces flu alike symptoms usually not recognized and may results in deaththither is minimum effect on th e environment.Sulphur Dioxides SO2Depending on the exposure level it freighter cause cause wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, respiratory affection, alterations in the lungs, it aggravates existing cardiovascular disease.When SO2 combines with water, it forms sulfuric acid, which is the main component of acid rain. When acid rain falls it can cause deforestation, acidify water vogues to the trauma of aquatic life. It also corrodes building materials.Acid rain changes the physical visual aspect of vegetation plants metabolism impairedNitrogen Dioxide (NO2)/Oxides of Nitrogen NOxAt low levels it has minimum or no effects on human health. However high levels NO2 can cause respiratory problem, increase a persons susceptibility to, and severity of infections and asthma. It can also affect the sensory system.It is denigrating to vegetation, can fade and discolor fabrics, reduce visibility.Vegetation exposure to high levels of NOx can be identified by defame to folia ge, diminish growth or reduced crop yield.Volatile Organic Carbon -VOCThere are no general health effects of VOC because early(a) gases make up VOCs however some gases may be toxic and/or carcinogen.Levels of exposure and time exposed can cause damage to the liver, kidney and primeval nervous system.It is known to cause cancer in animals.Suspended Particulates Matters (SPM) Total suspended particles (TSP) Particulate matters.Health effects on SPM in humans depend on the particle size and concentration can cause long term exposure increases the rates of respiratory illness and symptoms.Particulates can accelerate deterioration of surface and material.It has the potential to cause pass of the climate and contributes to acid deposition.Control Strategies physiologic, Managerial and Legislative to Air PollutionThe visionaries of the early industries focus light on health safety and the environment and this was reflected in the level of sustains initiated by the industries. Contro ls were mainly one dimensional and give out to focus on the holistic views of health safety and environment. Public discriminative decision and outburst resulting from the increasing number of medical complaints and the decrease quality of land produce with allegations pointing towards the emission from these industries, prompted management to use technology to assist in the establishment of more stringent controls. This technology was also instrumental in pinpointing the actual adverse effects as a result of these emissions.Physical ControlsThe physical control represents the processes responsible for acquisition of raw material, storage, manufacturing and distribution processes. using up of Suppression TechniquesThe numerous pollutants that emit daily, through smokestacks petrochemical and petroleum industries together with major health effects, force industries to reduce the pollutant at the source. One of the proven ways of reducing these pollutants is installing scrubbers a nd in other cases bagging houses in the emission system.The use of end -of- pipe technology is being adapted by some industries, it is used to remove already formed contaminants in the air however it is proven to be very expensive and many industries supra stateally would rather pay the fines for higher emission levels than use this technique. In other words it is regarded as the less of two evils. These techniques force industries to adopt generic wine prevention strategies and solutions, only resorting to the more expensive techniques when face with dire consequences.environmental Friendly ProcessWith increasing pressure from environmental activists calling for industries to be more sensitive towards the environment, many industries have re mental synthesisd their processes whereby recycling waste material as a new raw material to produce a second product. This process has been adapted by Methanol Holding Trinidad especial(a) (MHTL) were they have constructed an AUM plant. This plant is the first of its kind in Trinidad and Tobago being the most environmental friendly of the MHTL family. This plant comprises a diversified petrochemical complex to manufacture Urea Ammonia Nitrate (UAN) and Melamine using feedstock from integrated urea and ammonia plants. (MHTL)The local cement factory adopted several controls strategies to push-down list with the air pollution problem within its manufacturing process. A change from resound to stripping of the main raw material (limestone) aided in the drop-off of dust emissions that was affecting the neighboring community at their exploit central Trinidad. The transportation of the limestone was also change from dry to wet thus also reducing the potential dust particles entering the atmosphere during transportation from quarrying to the process plant. At the out skirts of the processing plant itself major adorn was done to create hills around the factory adorned by lover trees with sole intension is to reduce the lev el of dust exposure to the neighboring community.Managerial ControlsSelf RegulationThese controls consist of policies, systems and standards that govern and manage the organization. The establishments of the list Performance Indicators (KPI) help management keep focus in regularize to sustain open up targets. Company policies and procedures acts as guidelines to maintain order and structure within the organization. The introduction of ISO standards advertises the companys procedures to the industrial world thus ensuring that whatever measures ab initio introduced are sustained by the certification audits conducted annually by an worldwide process auditors.Legislative ControlsCurrently in TT there is no economy that refers directly to controlling of air pollutant emitted by industries. This is merely due(p) to the fact that early monitoring system generally focus on water and land pollution the understanding of air pollution did not produce tangible evident because of technol ogical short falls. The existing legislation addresses non specific air pollutants like the Petroleum Act (rev. 1980) partition 29 (1) (j) prevention of air pollution and the Public health ordinance (1950), section 70 (1) (m) prohibits blacks smoke from chimneys. Even though the EMA was establish and is the countrys sole environmental body responsible for managing, regulating and coordinating environmental matters. The EMA has only managed to drawing the Air Pollution Rules 2001 however to date 2010 these rules have not been made law.Trinidad and Tobago being a member of the Commonwealth and the United Nations has benefited from the research and technological advancement from these more developed countries (MDC). Initiatives such as the Montreal Protocol (1989 the control of CFCs) and the Kyoto Protocol (1997 the reduction of Greenhouse Gases) assisted the legislative process of TT by association. The only way legislative was establish was by porcine backing on the achievement of the more developed countries it seems that this was the only way the law maker could have had any impact on defaulters of air pollution in Trinidad. Only when legislation is pass the country can benefit from some effective control measures where polluters are prosecuted and emission limits are set for all industries.ConclusionTrinidad and Tobago historically is a nation of followers there have been very few instances where we were not promoted or assisted in some way or the other in achieving established goals and the topic of pollution is no exception. Have we ever wonder why the one establish air pollution laws stems from a diplomatic traffic within the commonwealth and the United Nations or why we had to wait until the sexual climax of OSHA to enforce existing safety laws in our country. The answer is simple we are still waiting to follow no wonder legislation spike headed by locals are treated with scan courtesy. Had these laws been establish in some first world convention they would have been rooted in the seams of our judicial system years ago? Many of the existing pollution laws politics the more develop countries were mainly as a result of international pressure, sadly Trinidad and Tobago is not view as a major polluting nation because of its geographical location and size. Evidence of pollution awareness is mainly seen in the new establish manufacturing countries whose parent companies originate overseas. It is only amongst of fellow less develops countries and Caribbean members that Trinidad and Tobago is recognize as a polluting nation sadly these countries have little impact on global view.Despite our shortcomings, internally there has been an escalate effort to effectively monitor record, control and enforce pollution reducing systems and strategies. Internationally the over site of Trinidad and Tobago (a country that can easily fit into the Orinoco River with a population that barely exceeds large town in the United States) has not deterred local efforts to manage the levels of air emissions.